MLB Player News

Johnson (elbow) has resumed playing catch from about 90 feet, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Johnson will need to increase his throwing distance to about 120 feet before he's cleared to resume mound work. The 31-year-old isn't expected to be ready to return from the 60-day injured list until after the All-Star break.

Pomeranz (elbow) has been throwing bullpen sessions consisting of around 30 pitches at about 95 percent intensity for the past two weeks, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Assuming he's experienced no setbacks in his recovery from the flexor tendon surgery he underwent last August, Pomeranz should soon be ready to graduate to facing hitters in live batting practice. The Padres have yet to provide a clear timeline for Pomeranz to come off the 60-day injured list for his 2022 debut, but he likely won't be ready to go before the All-Star break.

Harvey (forearm) began a rehab assignment at the Nationals' rookie-level Florida Coast League affiliate Monday, Jessica Camerato of MLB.com reports.

Harvey threw 19 pitches during Monday's outing and struck out two in a perfect inning. The Nationals plan for the right-hander to make one more appearance in the Florida Coast League before progressing to the Double-A or Triple-A level.

Pirates director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk said Wednesday that Mears (elbow) hasn't yet resumed throwing, Justice delos Santos of MLB.com reports.

Mears experienced right forearm tightness following a rehab start at Triple-A Indianapolis last Wednesday, and he's been shut down for a week. However, Tomczyk hopes that the right-hander will resume throwing off flat ground in the coming days. A better idea of Mears' return timetable is unlikely to be revealed until he resumes mound work.

Pirates director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk said Bednar (back) won't be available out of the bullpen for Wednesday's game in Washington but is expected to avoid a stint on the injured list, Chris Halicke of DKPittsburghSports.com reports.

Bednar hasn't pitched since Saturday on account of a sore lower back, an injury that may have played a part in him uncharacteristically walking two batters and surrendering two runs in a blown save during his last time on the mound. Prior to that game, Bednar had produced a 1.30 ERA, 0.78 WHIP and 48:8 K:BB across 34.2 innings while notching 11 saves in 13 chances, so he should have a decent amount of job security as the Pirates' closer.

Hudson (6-4) gave up three earned runs on six hits and a walk while striking out three over five innings to earn the win in a 5-3 victory over the Marlins on Tuesday.

Hudson gave up three runs in the third inning, but his offense bailed him out with a four-run tally in the bottom of the fifth to help him to his sixth win of the season. Hudson hasn't yet snapped fully back to form following Tommy John surgery, as he's only recorded 44 strikeouts over 80 innings and carries a pedestrian 1.35 WHIP. The most encouraging sign for the 27-year-old right-hander is that he's healthy and consistently making starts in a Cardinals rotation which has been hit with injuries to Steven Matz (shoulder), Jack Flaherty (shoulder) and Jordan Hicks (forearm). Look for him to take the mound Sunday at Philadelphia.

Helsley earned his sixth save in Tuesday's win over the Marlins, pitching a perfect ninth inning during which he struck out the side.

Helsley was dominant when called in to protect a two-run lead in the ninth. He fanned Garrett Cooper and Avisail Garcia with high-90s four-seamers and Jesus Aguilar with a nasty 79 mph curveball. The power pitcher continues to hold up his end of the closer tandem with Giovanny Gallegos and now has six saves on the season to go along with an elite 12.7 K/9 rate.

Rogers (0-4) allowed a run on two hits and a hit-by-pitch while striking out three in 1.2 innings, taking the loss Tuesday versus the Diamondbacks.

Rogers entered with the bases loaded in the eighth inning and promptly allowed the tying run to score when he plunked Carson Kelly. The game remained tied into the ninth, where Rogers allowed two-out singles to Josh Rojas and Ketel Marte. Christian Walker then got aboard on a fielder's choice that scored the winning run, leaving Rogers with a loss in addition to his fourth blown save. He's pitched to a 2.84 ERA, 0.82 WHIP and 37:7 K:BB while adding 22 saves in 31.2 innings.

Manaea allowed three runs on three hits and three walks while striking out seven in six-plus innings in a no-decision versus the Diamondbacks on Tuesday.

Manaea threw six shutout innings before running into trouble in the seventh. The Padres' bullpen fared no better in the late innings, which ultimately cost Manaea the win as he took a third straight no-decision. The southpaw owns a 3.92 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 89:31 K:BB through 85 innings in 14 starts this year. He's projected for a home start versus the Mariners next week as he looks to get back into the win column.

Melancon (3-6) earned the win Tuesday over the Padres. He struck out two and walked one in a scoreless inning.

Melancon was the beneficiary of the Diamondbacks' comeback, which culminated in a walkoff in the ninth inning. The 37-year-old hasn't logged a save since June 3, but that's been due to a lack opportunities more than anything else. The veteran reliever has a 5.47 ERA, 1.56 WHIP and 15:7 K:BB through 26.1 innings. He's 11-for-13 in saves chances.